Joshua 9:24

Translations

Modern

The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.

Traditional

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

Literal

And they answered Joshua and said, “Because it was surely declared to your servants that YHWH your God commanded Moses His servant to give to you all the land and to destroy all those dwelling in the land from before you, we were afraid exceedingly for our lives because of you, and we have done this thing.

Latin

Qui responderunt: Nuntiatum est nobis servis tuis, quod promisisset Dominus Deus tuus Moysi servo suo ut traderet vobis omnem terram, et disperderet cunctos habitatores ejus. Timuimus igitur valde, et providimus animabus nostris, vestro terrore compulsi, et hoc consilium inivimus.

Original

Hebrew

English

The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.

Notes

Joshua 9:24–25

The response of the Gibeonites showed their faith in the Lord. They used dishonesty because they believed God would help Israel conquer Canaan.

Joshua 9:1–27

Joshua failed to consult God again (9:14; compare 7:2–4). This time it was about an unexpected request. Other ancient Near Eastern stories only describe a leader’s successes. However, this author also noted the mistakes of Joshua and Israel’s elders. God is the true hero of the story, and the author wanted to emphasize God's achievements.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua

Events

War with Canaanites

Related verses

Deuteronomy 20:15–17
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.
Deuteronomy 7:1–2
When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—
Exodus 23:31–33
And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.
Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Numbers 33:55–56
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle.
Numbers 33:51–52
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
Job 2:4
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.
Deuteronomy 7:23–24
But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.
Exodus 15:14–16
The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia.
Joshua 9:9
“Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt,

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Alliance Conquest and Allotment of the Land Foreigner Gibeon, Gibeonites Jerusalem Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Kiriath-jearim Mephibosheth Nethinim Samuel, Books of First and Second Slave, Slavery Tribe of Dan

Topics

Contracts: Scriptures Illustrative of the Binding Force of Gibeonites: Israel: Appointed, Hewers of Wood Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Makes a Treaty with the Gibeonites Kirjath-Jearim: Inhabitants of Magnanimity: Joshua and the Elders of Israel to the Gibeonites Who had Deceived the Israelites Servant: Gibeonites

Joshua 9:24

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